Saddle-stitched notebooks work best when they’re left thin. Avoid overstuffing your notebook since it won’t lay flat when it’s done. If you’re using lightweight paper like printer paper, feel free to use up to 15 sheets. For thicker papers, use only 5 or 6 sheets for your notebook. To determine how many pages your notebook will have, multiply the number of sheets you’re using by 2. Each piece of paper will be folded in half, so if you start with 8 sheets of paper you’ll have a 16-page notebook.
If you want a rustic-looking notebook, some slight variations in size can look nice in the finished product. The soft edges of handmade paper can look especially pretty amongst other types of cut paper. If you want a neat and orderly notebook of all the same paper type, stick with a standard paper size so you don’t have to do any cutting.
Think of the stack of pages as if it’s a book with a spine is running down the middle. The back cover should be to your left and the front cover should be to your right.
The upper and lower dots should be about 1 in (2. 5 cm) away from the top and bottom edges of the paper. [5] X Research source Place the third dot in the center of the page, and place the other 2 dots between the outside and center dots on the top and bottom.
Make sure you run the holes straight down through all of the pages. Don’t hold the awl at an angle or wiggle it around; keep it perpendicular to the surface of the pages.
Don’t double-up the thread; you just need a single layer of thread to stitch the binding. There’s no need to tie a knot at the end of the thread. You’ll be tying knots later on.
Don’t pull the thread all the way through the hole. There’s no knot to keep it in place, so you need to leave a long enough tail on the inside of the notebook.
Don’t stitch over the edges of the notebook when switching directions.
Trim the ends short and your binding is now complete. When you bring the working thread to the inside of the notebook, tug on it to bring the first knot you created to the inside.
You can also try folding the cover to the outside to ease up the stiff new binding. [14] X Research source
Try printer paper for a quick and simple notebook. Use sheets of colorful construction paper, measuring the same dimensions, if you want a more durable scrapbook-style notebook. You could use drawing paper for a sketchbook.
Try stiff pieces of cardstock for a sturdier cover or colorful construction paper for a softer cover. You could also try cardboard if you want the look and feel of a hardcover notebook. [16] X Research source
If you’re using a handheld hole punch, feel free to create as many holes along the spine as you’d like. You may want to use a pencil and ruler to mark out the placement of the holes beforehand so they’re evenly spaced. Push the stack in as far as it will go into the 3-hole punch so that the edges of the paper press up evenly against it.
As an alternate method of securing your hole-punched notebook, slide a keyring or small binder ring through each set of holes. [18] X Research source
Place a smaller piece of paper in the center and use this as a label or title card for your notebook. If you prefer, leave the front cover blank and use it as a canvas for doodles.
